CHAPTER 678: THE FALLEN STAR CLUSTER

"The Fallen Star Cluster is located a month’s journey away by warp, using an interstellar vessel," Emperor Rozwald said.

"However, since the devils have already taken control of that star cluster, we no longer set foot in that region," he added.

"How strong was the Fallen Star Cluster in the past? How could the devils suddenly take over it?" Aldrian asked.

"The Fallen Star Cluster, which was previously called the Northern Star Cluster, was quite strong, at least, that’s what I knew. Even when I was a child, that star cluster was already under the devils’ control. According to records, the devils came from outside our galaxy to this region of the galaxy around three million years ago," the emperor explained, prompting Aldrian to raise his eyebrows slightly.

"Three million years ago again. This must be the same time when the great war on the Barisan Continent happened," he thought.

Aldrian guessed that period was one of the times when Tarius launched a large-scale war using his followers. For what purpose? Perhaps he intended to engulf and bring this part of the heavens under his control as quickly as possible.

Their main targets were likely Feng Xuanyan and Long Shentian, but the plan ultimately failed due to strong resistance, and the death of the previous apostle caused by Feng Xuanyan and Long Shentian’s power.

It seemed they had tried to do the same when Tarius descended, but because Aldrian defeated him, the devils appeared to retract their plan and cancel the war they had intended to start.

Still, the fact that the devils managed to take control of an entire star cluster in the past was truly impressive. It showed just how strong they were.

"The Fallen Star Cluster has hundreds of stars of varied sizes. Although most of them are uninhabitable, there are ten main stars with civilization and habitable environments. That alone is enough to make any force hesitate to attack them. Approximately, there are a trillion devils there, with many among them truly powerful," the emperor said, which left Aldrian astonished.

A trillion? Then it was no wonder the devils could maintain their control there. To regain that region from them would require enormous sacrifices, something they could not afford unless they were united. It was the same situation as the Barisan Continent in the past, where all the powers remained divided because of their differences.

Only after he appeared, and only because the circumstances forced them, did they finally unite, eventually reaching the point where they willingly placed themselves under him, under one banner.

"Our star, the Ancient Blue Gate World, is the closest to the Fallen Star Cluster if they decide to attack. So, Your Excellency must understand why I preferred an alliance with Valroy family in the past. We can’t rely on the power of our star alone if those devils come for us, so..." Emperor Rozwald paused, then picked up his teacup.

He took a sip, and Aldrian nodded in understanding as he lifted his own cup and drank.

"I see. Then how do I reach the Fallen Star Cluster?" Aldrian asked.

The question stunned both the emperor and Butler Norris. Why would he ask that?

"Well... no one wants to go there, and even if someone owns a private interstellar vessel, no one would lend it for such a destination unless they were truly forced by extraordinary circumstances. The only ones who usually go there are those who’ve decided to follow the devil path and join them," Emperor Rozwald replied.

He looked at Aldrian narrowly.

"If I may ask, Your Excellency... why are you asking that?"

"If I want to go there, would you mind lending me an interstellar vessel?" Rather than answering, Aldrian asked in return.

"Of course, I will, Your Excellency. But why do you want to go there?" the emperor replied.

"Well, in your opinion, why would I want to go there?" Aldrian asked again with a smile.

The emperor and Butler Norris widened their eyes as they realized what Aldrian meant and they couldn’t help but feel a wave of shock. Their hearts pounded, and a sudden surge of anticipation rose within them.

Why would Aldrian, the one who had already thwarted the devils’ plans, want to visit that star cluster?

The answer was simple.

Of course he was going to kill the devils.

How could they not be excited when the strongest person here was about to take action against the devils, who had been a persistent threat for so long? If Aldrian himself would move, then this was the best possible outcome for them!

"I see. If Your Excellency truly intends to make a move yourself, then this is the best outcome! I would even accompany you myself, if you set out for that place," Emperor Rozwald said with spirit.

Aldrian simply smiled and took another sip of his tea.

"Well, that’s still in the future. I have business to take care of first. Maybe after I’m done with it, I’ll depart for the Fallen Star Cluster," he said.

"Yes, Your Excellency. I will wait until you are ready."

After that, they continued their conversation for hours. As the emperor of the strongest empire on the Orian Continent, Rozwald knew much and could share many details with Aldrian. It was no surprise their discussion lasted so long. Aldrian also needed to learn more about the world and many other things beyond it.

In the end, Emperor Rozwald gave Aldrian an information crystal containing extensive knowledge about various topics. He also presented him with a luxury cruiser as a gift, which Aldrian accepted, of course.

Aldrian understood that the emperor was trying to leave a good impression and he didn’t mind it.

After hours of conversation, they finally finished. The sky had already turned dark. Emperor Rozwald offered Aldrian a room to stay at the imperial palace for the night, but Aldrian declined. Rozwald didn’t press the matter and even offered to escort Aldrian himself, but Aldrian refused again, preferring to return alone.

The emperor complied, but he was stunned when Aldrian suddenly disappeared. As a peak pseudo-immortal stage cultivator, he couldn’t sense even the slightest spatial disturbance when Aldrian vanished. For him, that alone was proof that Aldrian’s mastery of spatial laws was far beyond his own.

After Aldrian disappeared, Emperor Rozwald sighed and slumped onto the sofa behind him.

"What a terrifying individual. How can someone like him even exist? What truly happened within the Barisan Continent during all that time for someone like him to be born?" he said in a tired manner.

"Well, we could say he is the prophesied one, Your Majesty. The past prophecy spoke of something that would happen in the Barisan Continent. And as we already know, that young man is the one who resolved it. I truly believe he is what they call the son of the heavens, and I mean that literally," Butler Norris said with a joking tone.

The emperor sighed again, but then he smiled and stood up.

"This meeting is truly a blessing for me. We’ve managed to build a connection with him much earlier than any other major power. In fact, I think we’ve formed a closer relationship thanks to our long conversation and the way His Excellency seemed willing to share so much information with us," he said as he began walking out of the room.

"We will be the ones to gain the most benefit from it," he added before stepping outside.

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Aldrian returned to his large mansion in Avon City using his domain’s teleportation. Today, he had gained many valuable knowledge that would greatly help his journey. What he lacked most now was information about the outside world, and today, he had truly learned many things.

Not long after, he changed into more casual attire. But as he did, something reached his senses or more precisely, his domain’s senses on the Barisan Continent. Ever since learning that information about the continent had spread, he had kept a close watch through his domain over the continent.

Now that something had entered his domain on the Barisan Continent, he immediately used his Eyes of Heaven to see what it was. According to his estimation, it was about an hour past midnight there. He wondered who else would try their luck by entering the continent at such a time.

Through his Eyes of Heaven, Aldrian finally saw clearly four cruisers were flying at high speed, approaching the continent.

He could see dozens of people aboard them. Their cultivation levels varied, but the group was undeniably strong, many were at the peak of the Emperor stage, and the strongest among them had already reached the middle stage of pseudo-immortal establishment.

As Aldrian focused his senses further, he was able to hear their conversation.

"We’re almost there! After this, we can establish our new hideout," said one of the men. From the scars on his face, it was clear he had seen many battles.

"With this continent’s level of power, nothing can stop us. We just need to be cautious of that mysterious man. As long as we avoid him, we’re fine. There’s no way he could know everything happening across the entire continent," he added.

"With us hiding here, I don’t think those fools will ever find out. This could become our new main basecamp, we could stay here for a long time. We might even discover many unknown treasures," said another man wearing a bandana.

"A weak continent filled with mysteries. This place is perfect for us," he added.

Hearing this, Aldrian couldn’t help but feel that these people were more like bandits on the run, searching for a place to hide.

He smiled.

The first wave of fools had arrived.